22-year-old Amanda Gorman becomes youngest poet to read at inauguration

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Reciting her powerful, original poem  "The Hill We Climb", Amanda Gorman, appointed first U.S. youth Poet Laurette in 2017,  hit it off the Capital Steps, across the Reflection pool, pass the Lincoln Memorial.  More eloquent and heartfelt than Maya Angelou -- great orator with a bright future, received standing ovation.

Video:

22-year-old Amanda Gorman becomes youngest poet to read at inauguration

 

 

Quote

The Hill We Climb

Mr. President, Dr. Biden, Madam Vice President, Mr. Emhoff, Americans and the world, when day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. In the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice. And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one.

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose. To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man. And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried that will forever be tied together victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid. If we’re to live up to her own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made. That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare. It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit. It’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a forest that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. This effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves so while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be a country that is bruised, but whole, benevolent, but bold, fierce, and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens. But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than one we were left with. Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the West. We will rise from the wind-swept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution. We will rise from the Lake Rim cities of the Midwestern states. We will rise from the sun-baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover in every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful. When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.

 

 

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Yes, she did a remarkable job.  it is best to listen to her read the poem.  View the video at the link Karen posted above.

[toomuchbaloney]

Her words moved me to tears for the second time during the Inauguration...

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

The poem is amazing and she is beautiful!  I read that Oprah gave her the earrings and a cage bird ring to wear.

Oprah Gave Poet Amanda Gorman, 22, Earrings and a Caged Bird Ring to Wear on Inauguration Day: https://www.MSN.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/oprah-gave-poet-amanda-gorman-22-earrings-and-a-caged-bird-ring-to-wear-on-inauguration-day/ar-BB1cW7Dm?oicd=uxbndlbing

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Amanda's first poetry book The Hill We Climb due out in September 2021

Hillary's response:

While Barack said

She'll never forget this day, imprinted forever in her brain and heart.

[SmilingBluEyes]

It was indeed beautiful.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Good read about Amanda's Poem and performance.

What made Amanda Gorman's poem so much better than other inaugural verse

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

Speaking of Miss Gorman, she is now signed with a modeling agency.  Thus, we will see her telling a generation of girls that there is diversity in beauty, one can be both beautiful (inside and out) and be intelligent along with having ambition as one aspires to great things in life:  

Amanda Gorman signs with IMG Models, but we all know it's the presidency she's after

https://www.MSN.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/amanda-gorman-signs-with-img-models-but-we-all-know-it-s-the-presidency-she-s-after/ar-BB1d7q4I?ocid=msedgntp

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

LOVE Amanda's poems...

Just before Super Bowl LV kickoff, the presidential inaugural poet delivered another original poem honoring three front-line workers who have served during the coronavirus pandemic.  In her moving poem, "Chorus of the Captains," the 22-year-old celebrated educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner and veteran James Martin, who last week were announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as this year’s honorary captains for their dedication and commitment to helping others.

 

 

[toomuchbaloney]

She was just stunning, once again.